Frequently Asked Questions 

The idea for the membership started with the 52 Scenes Challenge. For that challenge, we meet weekly to write and discuss our novels. The meetings are magical. I can’t wait to get together and talk to like-minded people who have the same goal. I want the Short Story School members to also experience this on a monthly basis. 

In most cases, you have to choose between a course or a coach or a webinar that aims to teach you something specific. I have combined them because we need different things at different stages of our journey. By combining these elements we can enjoy all the benefits. We have the course theory as the foundation, the writing session to put that theory into practice and then we have the live coaching to discuss the challenges and victories of that particular story. 

Also, improving your writing takes time. There is no quick fix. The membership allows you to work on and improve your stories over time by offering simple tips and lessons that are easy to apply without overwhelming you. Just like the deadlines help you to write, the classes offer additional accountability to help you to complete the coursework. 

1. You will feel less alone.

2. You will hear from and learn from other writers.

3. Your discipline will improve.

4. Less last-minute scrambling for a story. 

5. Mia is there every month to teach and guide you

Short story writers will definitely benefit from Short Story School. 

The class is about 40 - 60 minutes followed by a 60-minute writing session. Some writers use the writing session to write their story for that month or to complete their Write the Crap Out of It exercises. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you can in a month. 

The class usually takes place on Thursday and Sunday the week before the deadline. If there is a holiday weekend that affects many people the class will be moved a week earlier. You can look at the 2023-2024 schedule at the end of the email.

Classes take place on Thursday and Sunday a week before the short story deadline.

There are three different timeslots.

• Thursday at 11 am (GMT+02:00) 

• Thursday at 9 pm (GMT+02:00)

• Sunday at 7 pm (GMT +02:00)

Calculate your timezone here.

I am based in Pretoria, South Africa. You can use Johannesburg or GMT+02:00 as the closest city or time zone. Calculate your time zones here.

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There are three sessions every month to accommodate the different time zones. The content/format will remain the same. The questions asked will be different. You are welcome to join all the sessions if it is possible.

Yes! The classes are recorded and uploaded on the Short Story School website.

The class is about 40 - 60 minutes followed by a 60-minute writing session. Some writers use the writing session to write their story for that month or to complete their Write the Crap Out of It exercises. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you can in a month. 

The doors to the membership open once a year. I create the content in 12-month batches. You can join for 12 months only or stay for longer. You can also cancel your membership at any time. 

The membership has been moved to a new site: www.shortstoryschool.com. Our Deadlines for Writers site is very busy and the membership content isn't all in one place. The new site is built on a platform that has been made especially for memberships and courses. It'll be easier to navigate and find our lessons. You will also receive reminder emails from the site when it's time to attend the classes that you have registered for. 

This is my new adventure. I am very excited about this course. It is a year-long creativity journey for writers that will help you to find the time to write, but more importantly, it will help you figure out what to do when you can't write. It's free when you sign up for Short Story School. More information is coming. 

The membership, which includes the course, the coaching and the monthly lesson (and My Creative Life), is US $20 per month. 

• International payments via Paypal. 

• South African payments can be made via Payfast. (Please mail Mia for details.)

The 12 Short Stories challenge will remain free. This will be an additional sign-up.

No. We only welcome new members once a year. Registration for this year closes on 31 July 2023. 

You can cancel at any time.  

Right here: 

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